Students interested in becoming middle school teachers (grades 4-8) earn a BA or BS in the College of Arts and Sciences in either mathematics, English, an area of science (e.g., astronomy, biology, chemistry, geology, physical geography, physics, environmental science) or one of the social sciences (e.g., history, geography, political science, anthropology, sociology, economics). Students who have pursued programs in engineering or forestry may have course work that may count in this area.
Students also complete a minor in middle grades education which consists of a minimum of 12 credit hours in one of the other four content areas: mathematics, science, social science, or English, as well as the required courses (13 hours) as outlined below. Contact advisors in the college’s Student Services Center, A332 Jane and David Bailey Education Complex, for more information about specific requirements. The coursework listed below leads to middle grades licensure.
VolsTeach
Students pursuing a major in selected programs in the College of Arts and Sciences are eligible to participate in the University’s VolsTeach program (http://volsteach.utk.edu/), which permits students to simultaneously complete a major in mathematics or science and receive secondary education teaching licensure within this 4 year undergraduate degree minor. For more information about VolsTeach, including advising associated with teaching licensure requirements, contact the Center for Enhancing Education in Mathematics and Science (101 Greve Hall).
Maintaining Good Academic Standing in Teacher Education
To maintain good standing in the Teacher Education Program and to qualify for a degree and/or licensure as a teacher, students must perform adequately both in the university classroom and in the school(s). Students must maintain a minimum 2.7 cumulative GPA, establish and maintain a minimum 2.5 GPA in their major, and maintain a minimum 2.8 GPA (course grade C or higher required) in professional education courses.
Complete information on the teacher licensure program is available through the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences’ website (http://cehhs.utk.edu/), the college’s Office of Student Services – Bailey Education Complex, A332, or from teaching area faculty.
